A MIDDLEWICH-BASED body is championing the cause of capital projects in Mid Cheshire to secure economic advancement.

The Cheshire and Warrington Economic Alliance is working with a range of partners to bolster Cheshire's economy in order to keep it in the top 10 of economic sub regions in the United Kingdom.

And Alliance chiefs say they believe projects like the Weaver Valley Regional Park, North-wich Vision, Middlewich Vision and improving transports links are key to the future success of the area.

They also want to ensure parts of Winsford are moved out of the category tagged as 'severely economically disadvantaged'.

The group, based on Middlewich's Midpoint 18 industrial estate, is funded by the North West Development Agency (NWDA). It also works in part-nership with Vale Royal and Congleton borough councils and Cheshire County Council, as well as representatives from key industries such as the chemical industries based around Northwich.

It has just launched its economic strategy and new staff are coming on board. Bosses say that once they have identified significant projects that will aid economic re-growth, the alliance can fight its corner at the NWDA.

Chief executive Martin Lee explained: 'We are here to help grow the economy of Cheshire. If someone has an idea which is significant or if someone has developed a project, we will champion that project to the NWDA.

'In doing so we will be one voice in the region, rather than one voice out of 42 local authorities fighting for funding from central Government.'

He said the strategy would see the Alliance concentrating on supporting the development on the Weaver Valley Regional Park, to the benefit of Northwich, Winsford and Middlewich.

The proposed park occupies a key location running down the central spine of Cheshire and lying between the conurbations of Liverpool, Greater Manchester and Stoke-on-Trent. It would see the development of a comprehensive public access network and a diverse, regional resource which would promote, protect and enhance the outstanding historic and natural environment of the Weaver Valley.

Mr Lee added: 'The Weaver Valley Regional Park is potentially a huge project that will provide lots and contribute to Mid Cheshire. What we are trying to do is create a big project that's significant in the regional park, and also help lots of little projects.'

Mr Lee continued: 'It's a cause for concern that in some parts of Winsford there are still people who are severely economically disadvantaged.

'We will be able to look in depth at these areas to aid economic growth.'

He added: 'The challenge for us is to understand the economy and how it works and act within the economy to sort problems and develop areas.'